Couch-hammock.



I. E. PALMER.

COUCH HAMMOGK.

APPLIGATION FILED 001213, 1908.

1,1 30,193. Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

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THE NORRIS PETERS co. PHOTO-LITHOH wAsHlNGmN. D C

I. E. PALMER.

COUCH HAMMOGK.

APPLICATION I'ILED 0011s, 1908 Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

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THE N RRIS PETERS C0. PHOTO-LITHO. WASHINGTON, D. C.

ISAAC E. PALMER, 0F MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT,

ASSIGNOR TO I. E. IPALMERCO OF MIDDLE'I'OWN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

COUCH-HAMMOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Original application filed March 28, 1908, Serial No. 423,914. Divided and this application filed October 13,

Z '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC E. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Couch-Hammocks, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to hammocks of the type disclosed in my Patent No. 574,073, Dec. 29, 1896, and is a division of my application for couch hammocks, Serial No. 423,914, filed March 28, 1908, now Patent No. 901,936, dated October 20, 1908.

In order that the principles of the invention may be clearly understood, I have disclosed a single type or embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of a form of frame that may be employed in connection with my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse, vertical section of the frame shown in Fig. 1 upon the dotted line 22 thereof; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but representing a slightly modified construction; Fig. 4 is a plan view representing the type of hammock frame shown in Fig. 1, together with means for maintaining padding sections in position; Fig. 5 is a detail in vertical, longitudinal section of means for retaining sectional padding in adjusted position; Fig. 6 is a vertical, longitudinal section of a portion of a hammock body and frame and padding that may be employed therewith; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a hammock body to which the frame shown in Fig. 1 has been applied.

Hammocks have heretofore been constructed with frames interrupting the natural curvature of the body thereof, such as shown for example in my Patent No. 574,073, Dec. 29, 1896. Therein the frame is provided with a plurality of cross rungs as at the front and rear. The body of the hammock is therein shown as passed under such cross rungs and above the intermediate portion of the frame, so as to rest thereon. As disclosed in said patent, the frame may be of angular form or may be fiat. While it is apparent that the frame disclosed in the said patent and in my present application may be of any suitable length, it is herein Serial No. 457,466.

represented as of sufficient length to receive the entire person of the user, so as to support the same in a substantially horizontal position.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the frame therein represented is'composed of longitudinal or side members ll and transverse or end members 22 suitably connected thereto in any desired manner, as by bolts or screws 3. Any other suitable fastening means may be employed. If desired, each member of the frame may be recessed to receive the other. Upon each corner portion of the frame is received a bracket or casting t adapted to be secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by means of screws 5. It is apparent that said brackets may be attached to either the end or longitudinal members of the frame or both, if desired. Preferably, each bracket is provided with upper and lower flanges to embrace the members of the frame. Each bracket d is provided at its outer end with a socket 6 spaced from the adjacent end memher 2 and preferably inwardly extending from the body of the bracket or casting. Each socket 6 may be of any desired peripheral extent and may, if desired, completely encircle the adjacent end of the cross rod or bar 7 which extends between and is supported by each pair of brackets. If desired, the socket 6 may be provided with openings to receive screws 8, which, passing into the bar or rod 7, positively hold the same in place. If desired, each socket may be interrupted throughout a portionof its extent to permit the insertion of the rod or bar 7 from below. It will be apparent that in the form of the invention herein shown the relation and construction of the parts are such that each rod or hearing is held from endwise movement. Although I have described the frame in detail, any other suitable form of frame may be employed.

The body of the hammock maybe made of any suitable material. Preferably, however,

, it is made of fabricas indicated at 9 in Fig.

7 each end of the body being, as indicated in said figure, provided with a spreader 10, from which extend any suitable fastening means, as cords 11, by which the hammock may be suspended from any suitable support. The fabric 9 ofthe hammock maybe continuous from end to end. In use and may be of any desired size.

referring to that embodiment of my invention herein shown,the fabric 9 of assay face whereof the fabric rests intermediate said rods or bars. If desired and preferably, transverse. webs 12 are provided at opposite ends of the hammock suitably secured at opposite edges to the main fabric of the hammock. the rods or bars 7 being thus received within transverse pockets which In use, a pillow may be placed within either pocket or against the outer surface of either transverse web. Preferably to the edges of the fabric body 9 are attached the valances, one of which is indicated at 13 in Fig. 7

It will be apparent that the hammock frame may be detached from the fabric body 9 by removing the rods or bars 7 from the sockets and the pockets. The fabric body means is thus detachably engaged with the frame. This may be desired for convenience in shipment or for storage, or it may be desired to invert the frame. The form of corner bracket illustrated permits reversal of the frame for use without detachment of the brackets, inasmuch as the brackets extend from the frame in substantially the plane thereof.

\Vhile the frame of the hammock may be of any suitable construction, I preferably make the same of skeleton form, as heretofore described, and in connection therewith provide a suitable flexible seating. In Figs. 1 and 2, I have represented the seating as composed of transverse" and longitudinally disposed wire links 14: and 15 connected to suitable plates 16. I provide suitable springs forming part of the seating. While said springs may be arranged in any suitable manner. I have in Fig. 1 represented a series of coiled springs 17 connected at their outer hooked ends to suitable eyes-18 secured to the inner edge of the end members 2 of the frame. The adjacent longitudinal links 15 are provided with hooked ends to receive the hooked ends of the spring 17. If desired, a

' metal coiled spring 19 may be provided, it

being herein shown as connected by diagonal links '20 to the adjacent plates 16 of the seating. If desired and preferably I may intersperse through the body of the seating other and preferably transversely arranged coiled springs 21, the hooked endsrwhereof are connected "to' the adjacent 'plate 16. 'Preferably, the seating is connected to the longitudinal members 1-1 of the 'frame only along the transverse lines of the coiled springs 21, as by eyes or desired and to prevent undue sagging of the seating, I may provide one or more transverse webs 23 preferably of fabric and attached to the longitudinal members 1'1.

I As represented in Fig. 3, the web may be short links 22. If

composed of'short fabric members 24-24= connected at their inner ends by a coil spring 25 in any suitablejmanner.

It is apparent that by the employment of a suitable number of springs the seating of the frame is made sufliciently resilient; It

.is furthermore apparent that if in use the frame tends to sag, it may readily. be inverted. The castings 'at the'corners may be of any suitable construction or form within the scope of the invention. It is apparent that the spring seating frame may be of general application, and may be used otherwise than with hammocks, and that in such event the cross rungs or rods maybe omitted. g

If desired, I may use a padding, preferably interposed between the frame and the body of the hammock. Such padding may extend the entire length of the frame or any de sired portion thereof.

In Fig. 6, I have represented at 26 a padding attached to the lower face of the body fabric 9 of the hammock. If desired, I may employ sectional padding of any suitable extent and provide means to adjust the same at any desired point longitudinally of the hammock. WVhile this may be accomplished in any suitable manner, I have in Figs. 4: and 5 represented the body of the hammock as provided with pockets 27 extending transversely thereof at suitable intervals and open at one or light slats 28 of suitable material, such as wood, adaptedto position between them a sectional padding 29 'as shownin'Fig', .5,

suchpadding being independent of the ham-' mock body and frame. The slats maybe ner, as,

having buttons 31 at one end thereof, the

both ends for the reception of roe cords being received in suitable holes in the slats and being adapted to be threaded in any suitable manner,-as by a needle through the Walls of the pockets, the lower endsof the cords being preferably'secured to the adjacent wire links 14. It is apparent that instead of providing pockets, I may apply the slats to the upper face of the hammockbody and secure the same in the manner described to the wire links of the frame. 'Any other suitable means may be provided to secure the sectional padding in position, if the same be employed.

Although I have herein 'represented the hammock cloth or body means as overlying the frame (or greater portion thereof), and

the seat, I am not limited to such construction, nor to any particular character. of frame seating, or cloth and body means, inasmuch as, sovfar as'I am aware, I am the first to providef'a skeleton frame having a flexible, seating directlv connected to the.

longitudinal and'end members thereof, and

cloth or body means of any suitable charac ter independent of the frame and of the seating but detachably engaged with the frame, said cloth or body means having suspension means, cooperating therewith to support the frame. The suspension means preferably employed are clue-cords. The flexible seating and the side and end members of the frame together constitute what I l erein term a frame structure.

So far I am aware, I am the first to provide a couch hammock with a frame having a flexible seating secured thereto, ham mock suspension means for the frame and a padding or mattress overlying the seating. I am the first to employ in such combination, means to secure the padding or mattress in position. I am also the first to employ a flexible seating or open seating, or a spring seating in a couch hammock having a frame, with a padding or mattress overlying the seating. Not only is the padding or mattress held in proper position relative to the other parts, but when the seating is of an open character, it affords ventilation for the under side of the padding or mattress, since, in the preferred embodiment of my invention, the hammock body means does not extend along the under side of the seating. in the novel combinations above set forth, I am also the first to employ hammock body means independent of or detachable from the frame, although this feature if my invention need not always be employed. In said novel combina ions above set forth, I am also the first to secure the hammock body means to the seating, although this feature of my invention need not always be employed. In said novel combinations above set forth, I am also the first to secure the hammock body means and the padding or mattress in relation to the frame.

The suspensible hammock body means may be of any suitable character and need not, within the scope of my invention, be continuous. It may vary in extent and character, but is detachably connected to the frame structure consisting of the frame members and seating.

Having thus described one type or embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims:

1. A couch hammock comprising in combination, a frame having side and end members, cross bars supported by the hammock frame and spaced from the end members, a hammock body independent of but adapted to overlie said frame and having portions adapted to pass beneath said cross rods, a resilient seating independent of said body and attached to said frame, and padding, positionable at different places between the hammock body and frame, and means to securethe padding in selected position.

2. A couch hammock comprising, in combination, a frame, a hammock body overlying the frame, a seating independent of said body and attached to the frame, padding positionable at different places between the hammock bodv and frame, and means to secure the padding in selected position.

3. A hammock frame adapted for engagement with hammock and provided with connected end members, hammock body adapted to receive said frame, said hammock body being provided with transversely disposed pockets, slats for said pockets and sectional padding adapted to be located be tween said pockets and between said frame and hammock body.

4. A hammock frame having side-members and connecting end-members, a seating connected to members of said frame, ahammock cloth overlying the side members of the frame and said seating, and having supporting engagement with the frame, padding positionable at different places between the seating and hammock cloth, and padding-securing devices to secure the padding in selected position.

5. A hammock frame having side members and connecting end members constituting a substantially rectangular frame, a seating directly connected to the members of said frame, a hammock cloth constituting the hammock body and overlying the side members and end members of the frame, said hammock cloth having supporting engagement with the frame and being continued to constitute suspension means, and a padding interposed between said hammock cloth and the said seating, said padding being arranged in transverse sections and means for securing said sections removably and adjustably in position.

6. A couch hammock composed of a skeleton frame having longitudinal and end members connected in substantially rectangular form, a flexible seating directly connected to said members of the frame, and a continuous hammock cloth or body overlying said frame but independent thereof and detachably connected to said seating.

7. A hammock frame adapted for engagement with a hammock and provided with connected end members, a hammock body adapted to receive said frame, slats, means to secure the same in any position of adjustment relative to said frame, and a padding section adapted to be secured in adjusted position by said slats and upon said body and frame.

8. A hammock consisting of a hammock body, a hammock frame adapted for engagement with said body, a seating connected to said frame, the hammock body having transverse pockets, slats positionable in said pockets, the seating and body and positionable by said slats. r

r 9. A couch hammock composed of a skeleton frame having longitudinal and end members connected in substantially rectangular form, a fiexible seating directly connected to said members of the frame, and hammock cloth or body means applied to said frame'but independent thereof and detachably connected to said seating.

10. A couch hammock consisting of a skeleton frame having longitudinal and end members, a flexible seating directly connected to said longitudinal and end members, said seating and frame members together constituting a frame structure, hammock cloth or body means independent of said frame structure, and means attached to one of said parts (namely-said frame structure and said hammock body means) and detachably engaged with the other, whereby the hammock cloth or body means and the frame structure are detachably connected.

11. A couch hammock consisting of a skeleton frame having longitudinal and end members, a flexible seating directly connected to said longitudinal and end members, said seating and frame members together constituting a frame structure, ham- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the a Washington, D. 0.

and padding between mock cloth or body means independent of said frame structure, and means extending from the hammock cloth or body means and detachably engaged with the frame struc-. ture, whereby said hammock cloth or means and the said frame structure are detachably connected.

body

' 12. A couch hammock consisting of a V skeleton frame having longitudinal and end members, a flexible seating connected to said frame, said seating and frame members together constituting a frame structure, suspensible hammock body means independent of said frame structure, tachably connecting said frame structure, and hammock body means.

18. A couch hammock composed of a skeleton frame having longitudinal and end members connected in substantially rectangular form, a flexible seating directly connected to said members of the frame, and a continuous hammock cloth or body having a face to face relation to said frame but independent thereof, and detachably connected to said seating.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ISAAC n. PALMER.

\Vitnesses:

FRED. E. FOWLER, CHAS. M, LAUER.

Commissioner of Patents,

and means for de- 

